Title: The Wicked Sister
Author: Virginia Barlow
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
With her stepfather's sudden death, Lady Anastasia Covington goes from living a privileged lifestyle to selling vegetables in the village marketplace in the blink of an eye. Alone and at the mercy of her nefarious stepsister, she yearns for love and acceptance.
Disguised as a simple soldier, Prince Percival catches a dark-haired emerald-eyed beauty in his arms. He is bewitched. The more he sees her, the more intrigued he is by her contradictions. Forced to keep his identity a secret, he must somehow convince Lady Anastasia he is the right man for her.
But time is running out. Lady Anastasia's mother is determined to find a proper suitor and see her wed. And someone wants her dead.
Excerpt:
She closed her eyes when she went over the edge and waited for the impact. It was not what she expected! She hit against a warm solid something that knocked the breath out of her. Two bands of steel clamped around her and held her still. She opened her eyes cautiously and found herself nose to nose with a very handsome man. Two dark blue eyes gazed intently into hers. Laughter crinkled the corners of his eyes. Locks of black hair fell across his broad forehead.
"What did you catch, Val?" an amused male voice behind them asked the question.
Val was taking a heated inventory of the woman he held in his arms. He focused on the disarray of her hair, the fullness of her breasts, the narrowness of her waist, and then the soft pink lips so close to his own. He pulled her close against him, amused and intrigued.
"I merely asked the gods for their favor on our hunt, and they dropped a goddess right into my arms." He tightened his hold about her waist and leaned in for a closer look.
Desire slammed into him like a battle-ax. He liked what he saw. This angel that dropped from the sky was beautiful with her long ebony hair, green eyes, and pert little nose.
Bewitching. He stared at her mouth so close to his and wondered if she tasted as good as she looked. He wanted this enchanting girl.
****
Anastasia could not move. He studied her through half-closed eyes, like a predator studies its prey. She drowned in the heat of his eyes, and all around her was his scent. He smelled of the woods, sunshine, and danger. Her lips parted and her breathing quickened. A tingling sensation began somewhere in the region of her stomach and spread through her whole body. White-hot heat pumped through her veins. He body hummed with excitement and danger. His gaze moved from her lips, to her heaving chest, and then back to her mouth. He leaned closer still. Every nerve she had screamed with sensory overload. She felt as though she were a tender piece of meat being offered to a hungry wolf. She waited for his touch, her breath coming quickly. His full mouth hovered above her own. If either of them moved the smallest bit…
“Will you put my sister down?”
Anastasia jumped at the sound.
Beatrice stood right behind her now, her voice indignant.
The man lifted his head slowly and turned to face Beatrice. “I caught her; now she is mine to keep,” he teased.
Buy Links (including Goodreads):
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wicked-sister-virginia-barlow/1135068669?ean=9781509228218
It’s a brand-new year, full of possibilities. Did you make any resolutions/goals for 2021? If so, please share one.
After the year we just experienced, my goal is to be more grateful for people and things around me. If there is one thing 2020 taught me, it is that life can change in an instant.
Why is your featured book a must-read in 2021?
The Wicked Sister is a classic fairy tale of a girl who lost everything and learned to survive. She finds her handsome prince and despite the people who want to destroy her, she succeeds. There is danger, family drama, murder, and love. This story is told from a different perspective and served up with a twist. The relationship between sisters can be more than meets the eye.
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Open internationally
Runs January 1 – 31, 2021.
Drawing will be held on February 1, 2021.
Author Biography:
I am in my fifties and I love my life. I am a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and best friend. My granddaughter calls me "grandmuddy" so I am that too! I believe in family. I believe in magic and I believe in the power of love. I, also, believe in happily ever afters. My happy times are when I am curled in front of the fire with a glass of wine and a romance book in my hand.
Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Virgini35142126
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginia.barlow/
Website: https://www.virginia-barlow.com/